Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-03-24
THE INDEPENDENTS POSITION

THE INDEPENDENTS POSITION
TAHLEouAH, q. n, March 10th, 1881.
The executive committee of the
Independent party met March 18th
1887, and decided it was not prac-
ticable to nominate for first and
second chiefs. They decided the
Downing party and, with some ex-
ceptions, the National party have
so modified their platforms as to
give all citizens, regardless of race
or color; all the Independent party
called for, hence ifthe parties stand
firmly and honestly upon the plat
forms there will be no need in the
future Of ever a third party.
Mr.. Mayes, in his platform, de-
clares he will stand by the treaties
and constitution of the Cherokee
Nation and that is all any intel
ligent citizen can ask, hence we
feel it to our interest as a party to
indorse him, for VIC know him to
be intelligent, progressive and
firm, and his integrity is unim-
peachable, hence our interest will
be fairly and impartially looked
after. We know he has executive
ability and feel that we need such
a man to be our chief. We feel
safe in giving him our unanimous
Support, believing as we do that
he will stand firm and do as he
says he will do. We feel that a
majority Of the intelligent citizens
of the Nation will give him their
support, that being one of the very
best indications of his firmness and
honesty to all citizens regardless of
race or color. We believe, when
he made the liberal declaration in
his platform to stand by the treaty
and constitution, that he meant
TO take the treaties in one hand
and the constitution in the other
and stand by what they say. We
do not believe he can be bought or
influenced by rings or old political
hacks, and if elected he will not be
merely "fgure-head" in the chair
and some other man chief. We
believe he is most competent from
the fact that he speaks and under
stands English, and as all our bus
iness of Importance at Washington
is done with white people, and in
English, it is decidedly proper TO
elect a chief who can speak and
understand English Auently. But,
if we elect a man that does not
speak nor understand English, nor
the ways of white people, it would
greatly endanger the Cherokee Ma.
ton, as a wrong Interpretation to a
non-English speaking chief. no
matter how honest he was, might
lead TO a serious loss to our people.
We think the National party, in
the 9TH section Of their platform,
undertakes to "straddle" the ad-
opted citizen question and is a
complete dodge Of the question, for
they say, "the National party
pledges itself to all citizens adopted
under the treaty and the enjoy
ment OF equal rights with native
Cherokees, etc." Now, if the
treaty or constitution says so, it
certainly means it and there should
not, nor could not, "any friendly
and honest differences OF opinion
arise" from the very fact that the
treaty acknowledges them 10 be
a factor Of this government, hence
there could not be any cause to in
yite a reference Of the differences
to whatever judicial tribunal may
be appropriate and designated to
decide the points at issue" II we
go by the treaty and constitution
Of the Cherokee Nation it is plainly
laid down in English that the ad-
opted citizen has the same right as
the native Cherokee" The Ma
tional party also ignores the labor
ing interest Of the nation in its
platform, while Mr.. Mayes has a
very broad plank in his platform
on the labor question.
We ask oil our Independent
friends all over the Nation to act
with us in this matter, regardless
Of race or color, for we feel that il
is TO the Independent party's in
terest 10 vote solid and keep organ
lied. Yours respectfully,
B. III. STONE,
President Executive Committee.
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